Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

The river is your trail on this Arequipa outing. I like the Capua Canyon trek, where you walk through shallow water and puddles to reach a waterfall, and I like the quiet, local feel of a trip limited to eight people. The included snacks, bottled water, and hotel pickup also make the day easy to manage.

The main thing to consider is the four-hour walk through wet ground. You need comfortable footwear, sunscreen, and bug spray, and the thermal pool entrance costs extra. Still, the combination of canyon scenery, hot springs, and Yura Viejo gives you more variety than a simple waterfall visit.

Key things to know before you go

• Capua Canyon becomes part of the route: Expect to cross streams and puddles on foot rather than follow a dry, paved path.
• The waterfall is reached by walking: The trek to Capua Waterfall takes about four hours and is the main activity of the day.
• The thermal baths are a useful reward: Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre offers volcanic hot pools after the hike, but admission is not included.
• The group stays small: A maximum of eight people allows for a more personal outing and easier movement on the trail.
• Pablo has earned praise for practical help: If he is your guide, you can expect help with photos, snacks, and the wet sections of the route.
• Bring a little cash: The thermal pool entrance is usually about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

Why this Arequipa day trip feels different

Arequipa is often used as a base for big-name sights, but this excursion takes you toward a quieter side of the area. The day joins three very different experiences: an active walk through Capua Canyon, a soak in volcanic hot springs, and a short visit to the traditional town of Yura Viejo.

That mix is the strongest reason to book it. You are not spending eight and a half hours doing one repeated activity. You get movement, rest, and a little local culture in one compact trip.

The outing starts at 8:00 a.m. at C. Zela 301 in Arequipa. Hotel pickup is included, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end. With a maximum of eight people, this is much smaller than a typical bus excursion, though the exact feel will depend on the group booked for your date.

At $62 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport, a guide, snacks, water, and a full day away from the city. It is less attractive if you are looking only for a short waterfall stop, since much of the day is spent walking. You should also budget separately for the thermal pools.

Walking through Capua Canyon to the waterfall

The Capua section takes about four hours, so plan around the walk rather than treating it as a quick scenic stop. The route passes through Capua Canyon, with puddles and streams forming part of the experience. You may need to step through the water, and your footwear is likely to get wet.

That detail matters. This is not a dry sightseeing path where you simply stroll to a lookout. The appeal comes from moving through the canyon itself and reaching the base of Capua Waterfall under your own power.

A pair of sturdy hiking shoes can work, but the water crossings make footwear a real planning issue. One person reported completing the route in sandals with a strap, so secure sandals may be an option for you. Loose flip-flops are a poor choice because they can slip off or make uneven footing harder.

A practical solution is to bring footwear that can handle water, plus a dry pair for later. Pack sandals or spare shoes for after the walk, as well as socks if you prefer not to remain damp. The operator provides bottled water and snacks, but you should still bring sunscreen and bug spray.

The waterfall is the payoff, but the canyon is just as important. The route gives you changing views of rock, water, and narrow passages instead of one fixed photo stop. At the base, you have time to appreciate the setting and take pictures before continuing.

If Pablo guides your group, his style appears especially useful for this kind of outing. He has been praised for helping with photographs and keeping an eye on the route, and he provided fruit, water, candy, crackers, and other snacks at the waterfall. Those small touches matter after several hours on wet ground.

Still, you should be honest with yourself about the physical demand. The tour description says most people can participate, but a four-hour trek through streams is not the same as a gentle city walk. If you dislike wet feet, uneven ground, or sustained walking, this may not be your best Arequipa day.

Cooling off at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre

After the canyon, the tour moves to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. The stop lasts about 40 minutes, giving you time to sit in hot pools of volcanic origin and rest your legs.

This timing makes sense. The thermal baths are not presented as a separate full-day spa visit. They work as a short recovery stop after the trek. You get a chance to warm up, relax, and let the pace of the day slow down before the town visit.

The pools are described as having benefits for bones and skin. Treat that as part of the local appeal rather than a medical promise. The important point for your planning is simple: the water is hot, the stop follows the walk, and you should have enough time for a comfortable soak without turning the rest of the day into a long pool session.

Admission is not included in the tour price. Bring cash for roughly 5 to 10 soles, since the amount can vary by day. This is a small extra cost, but it is easy to miss when comparing tour prices.

You may want to keep a towel and a change of clothes handy, though these items are not listed among the included services. The supplied information confirms snacks, bottled water, and hotel pickup, but not towels or changing facilities. Pack according to your own comfort rather than expecting a full spa setup.

The hot springs add real value to the itinerary because they break up the physical activity. You walk first, rest second, and then visit Yura Viejo. That rhythm is more satisfying than finishing a long hike and heading directly back to the city.

Seeing daily life in Yura Viejo

The final listed stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about an hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. This part of the day gives you a look beyond the canyon and hot springs.

You will learn about the town’s church, culture, economy, and local attractions. The visit is not described as a large museum program or a long guided history lecture. Instead, it appears to be a compact introduction to the place and the people who live there.

That modest scale is part of the appeal. After a nature-focused morning, you get a chance to see how the area works as a community. The church provides a clear point of interest, while the discussion of local culture and economy gives the stop more purpose than a quick photograph from the vehicle.

The stop lasts one hour, which should be enough for a useful look without making the day feel stretched. If your main goal is adventure, this section may feel quieter than Capua Canyon. If you want a little context for the region, it helps round out the outing.

The church visit is included, so there is no separate admission listed for this stop. The only specifically stated extra cost is the entrance to the thermal pools.

What the $62 price really covers

The $62 price includes more than entry to individual sights. You are paying for a guided day with hotel pickup, bottled water, cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and transportation back to the original meeting point.

The snacks are basic, but useful. A fruit and cereal bar can make a difference during a four-hour walk, and having water provided means you do not need to start the morning carrying everything for the entire day. One guide also supplied extra items such as candy and crackers at the waterfall.

The small group limit is another part of the value. With no more than eight people, the guide can offer more direct help than on a large coach tour. It should also be easier to keep the group together during stream crossings and photo stops.

The price does not include thermal pool admission. That cost is low, but you should count it when setting your budget. You may also want to allow for personal items such as spare footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a towel.

For a full 8.5-hour outing, the price is fair if you want a guided route outside central Arequipa and prefer not to arrange the transport yourself. It is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall, but the price covers three distinct parts of the day.

Footwear, packing, and comfort tips

Your packing choices can make or break this experience. The most important item is footwear that can cope with water and uneven ground.

Consider bringing:

• Secure hiking shoes or strapped sandals for the canyon
• A dry pair of shoes for afterward
• Extra socks and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Cash for the thermal bath entrance
• Water-resistant protection for phones and cameras

The guide may take photos for you, which is helpful when the route requires both hands or careful footing. Still, protect your own phone and valuables around the streams.

The tour provides bottled water and snacks, so you do not need to plan a full packed lunch based on the supplied information. The day is long enough, however, that you should not assume the small snack allocation will replace lunch for you.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the wet four-hour trek remains the key physical consideration.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this outing if you want an active day with a local feel and do not mind getting your feet wet. It suits people who prefer a small group, a guide-led route, and several different stops rather than one major attraction.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen central Arequipa and want time outside the city. The canyon gives you the strongest visual experience, while the baths provide an easy break and Yura Viejo adds cultural interest.

You may want to skip it if you are looking for a relaxed sightseeing day with little walking. The waterfall is not reached by vehicle, and the trail includes streams and puddles. The thermal baths are pleasant, but they do not erase the effort required earlier.

The outing also works well for people who enjoy photographs. The canyon, waterfall, pools, and church offer different subjects, and a helpful guide such as Pablo can make it easier to get pictures of the whole group.

Booking details and weather concerns

Confirmation is provided when you book. The experience requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. Check your schedule carefully before paying, especially if your Peru plans may shift.

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. from C. Zela 301 and ends back at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup is included, but you should confirm the pickup arrangement when booking so you know where to wait.

Should you book the Capua Canyon and Yura trip?

Book it if you want an active, small-group day that mixes a wet canyon walk, a waterfall, volcanic hot springs, and a traditional town. The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating reflect a strong overall experience, and the most praised details are practical ones: helpful guiding, a quiet trail, photo assistance, and thoughtful snacks.

Before committing, make sure you are comfortable with four hours of walking through puddles and streams. Bring secure footwear, spare shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and cash for the thermal baths.

For an off-the-main-route day from Arequipa, this is a well-balanced choice. It asks more of you than a standard sightseeing tour, but it gives back with scenery, local contact, and a satisfying soak at the end.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What time and where does the tour start?

It starts at 8:00 a.m. at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru. Hotel pickup is included.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

No. Admission to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included. The cost is usually about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, bottled water, and hotel pickup.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.